Since 2007, the After School for All Partnership (ASAP) has improved access to, and the quality of, after school programs across the St. Louis region. ARCHS has partnered with schools, faith-based/community organizations, and public/private funders to help lead this effort that annually serves more than 2,800 students.

Recently, ASAP has teamed up with such leading area organizations as the St. Louis Rams, Monsanto, and OASIS, to bring enhanced learning opportunities to students. Here is a summary of ASAP's 2012-2013 school year results:

ASAP after school students at Adams Park Community Center, Peabody Elementary School, and St. Frances Cabrini scored a touchdown in the National Football League's (NFL) Play60 Campaign with the St. Louis Rams on October 24, 2013. The team invited ASAP to the new St. Louis Rams Training Academy to take part in passing and catching drills, along with speed and footwork exercises. Staff also spoke to the after school students about being healthy and getting an adequate amount of exercise each day.

In October 2007, the NFL launched NFL PLAY 60, a national youth health and fitness campaign focused on increasing the wellness of young fans by encouraging them to be active for at least 60 minutes a day.

Designed to tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL's long-standing commitment to health and fitness with an impressive roster of partner organizations. In addition to national outreach and online programs, NFL PLAY 60 is implemented at the grassroots level through NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. The NFL PLAY 60 initiative is prominent during the NFL's key calendar events, including Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, Draft, Kickoff and Thanksgiving and is supported by many NFL players and coaches year round. To date, the NFL has dedicated over $200 million to youth health and wellness through NFL PLAY 60.

ASAP was proud to be one of 8,000 communities across the nation taking part in Lights On After School. The 14th annual event was held October 17, 2013 and featured more than one million Americans rallying for after school programs.

Dozens of ASAP programs participated in Lights On After School, hosting programs such as dance parties, board games and puzzles, pumpkin carving, arts and crafts, and much more!

Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates thousands of media clippings each year

Even during the summertime, ASAP at Neighborhood Houses is full of fun learning opportunities for students. From July 8 to 12, ASAP students visited Camp MoVal in Union, Missouri, whose peaceful remoteness was a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of St. Louis. Nestled between rolling, forested hills, the camp gave the ASAP youth the opportunity to do many things that they couldn’t in the city—hiking, stargazing, canoeing, paddleboating, swimming, and playing capture the flag among them.

Neighborhood Houses Site Coordinator Niesha Nelson said the youth learn responsibility and leadership, in addition to participating in activities different than watching television and playing electronics.

“If I had this opportunity as a child, what would that have done to me, Nelson said. “Coming from a low income family, we couldn’t afford camp, and then, knowing that these kids can come here and have the chance to come here for free, and it’s a wonderful thing that we’re able to provide.”

Gundia Lockclay, Site Coordinator at Neighborhood Houses, said the youth learn good values and how to communicate with one another.

“They learn how to get along with each other. They see things that they don’t normally see,” Lockclay said. “They get to make friends. They get to go places that they have never been before."

Want to make an impact teaching children about proper food choices, while you share healthy snack ideas and play games?

OASIS’ CATCH Healthy Habits is seeking adult volunteers (over the age of 50) for just one hour a week to combat childhood obesity at several ASAP after school locations, including Mason Elementary, Woerner Elementary, Jennings Fairview Elementary School, and Adams Park Community Center. Volunteers should be available this fall from September to November, and be able to attend a training in August.

CATCH Healthy Habits works with children in kindergarten through fifth grade to lead fun, active games, share healthy snacks, and learn about healthy food choices. Through ASAP, ARCHS expanded this program with OASIS to bring students and adults over the age of 50 together to learn about healthy eating and physical activity habits.